Pedestrian hit near Orange Bridge in Parksville

A 31-year-old pedestrian was airlifted to hospital in Victoria after a single vehicle accident at 10:55 a.m. Wednesday in Parksville.

An Oceanside RCMP news release said the “initial investigation revealed that the pedestrian… was walking eastbound on the paved shoulder and suddenly stepped into the travel portion of the highway.”

“A driver passing that location could not avoid a collision with the pedestrian. The driver and lone occupant of the pickup truck.. waited for, and fully cooperated with police,” the release from Cpl. Jesse Foreman said.

The injured pedestrian was taken from near the orange bridge by ambulance to the highway weigh scales and airlifted to Victoria General Hospital with serious head injuries.

“At this point in the investigation, charges are not being considered. Speed and alcohol were not factors in this collision,” said Cpl. Elston, Central Vancouver Island Traffic Services.

The southeast bound lane of Highway 19A was closed for almost an hour and alternating lanes slowed traffic until 2:40 p.m.